That's a great question! The "average" capacity for a good outdoor trash bin really depends on whether you're thinking about a typical home or a commercial space like a park or restaurant.
For most households, a good standard size is between 30 to 65 gallons. A 32-gallon can is very common for weekly curbside pickup for a small family, while a 64 or 95-gallon wheeled cart is standard for many municipal waste services and can handle a larger family's needs. These sizes are manageable to move and are usually accepted by local waste companies.
For commercial or heavy-duty outdoor use, like at a business, apartment complex, or public area, bins can be much larger. You'll see stationary bins ranging from 1 to 8 cubic yards (which translates to roughly 200 to over 1,500 gallons). These are often the large metal or plastic dumpsters you see behind buildings.
So, what makes a capacity "good"? It's about matching the bin to your specific waste output. A good bin should be large enough that it doesn't overflow before collection day but not so huge that it becomes difficult to handle or encourages waste to sit for too long. For a typical home, starting with a 60-95 gallon wheeled bin is a safe and efficient bet for general trash. Always check your local waste hauler's guidelines for size limits and rules first.